News
Manchester Arena bomb survivor takes paramedic who saved his life to watch Man United at Wembley
The two became friends following a documentary for TV covering the atrocity
A survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing has taken the paramedic who saved his life to watch Man United at Wembley, and will also take him to the final.
Martin Hibbert, 46, who was left paralysed after the attack took Paul Harvey to watch Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley and will also take him to watch the final in June.
The United supporters will go again together to watch their beloved team take on Manchester City in an epic derby for the FA Cup final on Saturday, June 3rd.
Martin was left paralysed following 22 shrapnel wounds which severed his spinal cord. The shrapnel also left his daughter Eve with a devastating brain injury.
Martin now campaigns for people living with disabilities and has found a life-long friend in the paramedic who saved his life in the attack on the night of May 22nd 2017.
Shortly after the penalty shoot-out victory, Martin tweeted a picture of the two friends grinning broadly.
He told the Manchester Evening News: “It was a great day. It was the first time Paul was at Wembley as well. It was a really good day.”
Martin, a long-standing Red and season ticket holder, watched on with his friend Paul as United beat Brighton in a penalty shoot out.
Their club’s victory means they can now head to London again to watch the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final at Wembley stadium together.
Martin credits Paul with saving his life as he made the crucial decision to take him to Salford Royal Hospital to their trauma unit where he was administered a blood-clotting agent which prevented him from bleeding to death.
He said that had Paul followed instructions and taken him to Wythenshawe Hospital he would have died.
The two became friends following a documentary for TV covering the atrocity — where they also learned they were both United fans.
Martin had Paul as a guest for a number of games at Old Trafford and promised, if they ever got there, he would take Paul to an FA Cup final.
Martin added: “It wasn’t just about football. It was about love and friendship and what good can come out of a bad night.”
As the Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, Martin climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year and has so far raised £910,000 of the £1 million target.
He is also lobbying government as he has discovered only one in three people who suffer spine injuries are referred to the charity as he was – he spent months at its clinic in Southport, one of 12 around the country.
“People are just left to rot – I find that unacceptable,” he said. Martin has already held positive talks with Tom Pursglove, the minister for disabled people, health and work.
He admitted the public inquiry into the atrocity – whose three reports were highly critical of the response of the emergency and security services – had been ‘hard to take’.
His said that since the bombing he had been back into hospital six times because his injuries left him vulnerable to infection.
“I never take anything for granted. One minute I’m OK and the next minute I can be blue-lighting it to Salford Royal with sepsis,” said Martin.
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch, has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband has revealed.
The 81-year-old who played the iconic pub landlady of the Rovers Return on the show sought medical advice after ‘suffering forgetfulness’ but there was now ‘no hope of a reversal in the situation’, her husband Scott Brand said.
He shared news of her diagnosis in a statement, writing: “My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation — and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.
“We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out.
“Inevitably she is recognised, and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.”
Goodyear played the leopard-skin-wearing, big-haired barmaid on the cobbles from 1966 to 2003.
Thanks to Goodyear, Bet Lynch became one of the ITV soap opera’s longest-serving and best-loved characters.
The iconic actress also appeared on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club.
News
Tragedy as police find body of missing man last seen leaving pub
Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher
Police have confirmed a body has been tragically found in the search for a missing man in Marple.
Christopher Barlow, 31, was last seen shortly after 1am on Sunday, June 4th after leaving the Royal Oak pub in Mellor, Stockport.
He was last sighted turning left to walk along Brabyns Brow from Town Street.
Police officers and specialist teams searched a specific area beside the Peak Forest and remained at the scene after the tragic discovery on Tuesday, June 6th.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher, and his family have been informed. A report is currently being prepared for the Coroner’s Office.
Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Chris’s family and friends at this very distressing time.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their support with the search and the wider public for their assistance in sharing our appeal.”
According to The Manchester Evening News, on Monday evening (June 5th) the water search and marine unit, as well as a number of police vehicles and detectives were at the scene.
A large section of the canal was closed off to boats the next day as the search for Christopher continued.
Canal towpaths were also taped off as divers went into the water and officers searched nearby woodland.
News
Man to complete visiting every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week
Now he only has one final pub left to visit
A man will complete his visit to every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week as he sips his final pint to conclude his mission.
Most people like to see how far they can make it in a pub crawl but David Bingham, 60, decided to take it much further than that.
The Derbyshire man, who set out on the task in 2019, will conclude his journey of sipping a pint at all 875 Wetherspoon venues this week, including the 40 that have closed.
Now he only has one final pub left to visit, and he’s booked a flight at the South Terminal in Gatwick Airport in order to tick it off his long list.
The last of the boozers will be The Flying Horse, which is conveniently located right after security at the airport. Wetherspoons has praised his dedication.
Mr Bingham, from West Hallam, has said his other passions are trainspotting and following Burton Albion. He took on the challenge while also pursuing his other hobbies. Mr Bingham told the BBC: “If we were going somewhere new, I’d suss out the Wetherspoons.”
His partner Una Cooper bought him a directory of the pubs and he began ticking them off. “I’ve had a drink in most pubs, I’d say 85%,” he said.
“I’m a lager lad, definitely. The one in Ramsgate [in the Royal Victoria Pavilion] is my favourite because the history behind that building is incredible.
“But there are five police stations, there are churches, there’s chapels, there’s a tram depot, there’s a fire station.
“They just save these fantastic buildings. I love architecture and I love buildings. It’s a history lesson.”
Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, said: “We applaud David Bingham on his outstanding achievement.
“Many people love to visit Wetherspoon pubs across the UK and Ireland, but only a handful have visited each and every one. David will now join that select group.
“He has obviously put in a lot of time and effort into achieving his goal and we thank him for his dedication to our pubs.”
A Greek, Caribbean and Argentinian barbecue is coming to Manchester
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Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
Apple reveals it will finally stop iPhones autocorrecting f**k to ‘duck’
A 1980s Miami Beach rooftop cinema is opening in Manchester this summer
